Gluten-Free Easy Cake Mix Apple Spice Cookies
These soft, chewy cookies transform a box of spice cake mix into a delightful treat with fresh chopped apples and a sweet cream cheese drizzle. The cake mix provides the perfect blend of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, while chunks of apple add moisture and texture. Ready in under 30 minutes, these cookies are perfect for fall gatherings, bake sales, or when you need a quick homemade dessert. The cream cheese frosting glaze adds an elegant finishing touch that makes them look bakery-quality with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 box Betty Crocker™ Delights Super Moist™ Spice Cake Mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup apple, chopped
- ⅓ cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy cream cheese frostingpowdered sugar glaze1/2 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milkdietarydairy-free
simpler option
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350°F
- 2
Stir together cake mix, oil and eggs in medium bowl until combined and dough forms
- 3
Stir in chopped apple
- 4
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart
- 5
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set
- 6
Remove cookies from cookie sheets to cooling racks
- 7
Cool completely, about 15 minutes
- 8
Microwave frosting in small microwavable bowl on High 10 seconds
- 9
Drizzle melted frosting over cooled cookies
Tips
Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and to prevent excess moisture in the cookies.
Don't overbake - cookies should look slightly underdone when you remove them as they'll continue cooking on the hot pan.
For easier drizzling, thin the frosting with a teaspoon of milk if needed after microwaving.
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days or freeze unfrosted cookies up to 3 months.
Cookies can be baked 1 day ahead; add frosting drizzle before serving.
Serve at room temperature. Best enjoyed within 2 days of glazing.
Common Mistakes
Don't overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies.
Space cookies adequately to prevent spreading into each other.
Let frosting cool slightly before drizzling to avoid melting completely off cookies.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
simpler option
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, yellow, vanilla, or cinnamon cake mix work well. Chocolate cake mix will create a different flavor profile but is also delicious with apples.
What if I don't have cream cheese frosting?
Make a simple glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons milk, or skip the topping entirely for plain spiced cookies.
How long do these cookies keep?
Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. Unfrosted cookies freeze well for up to 3 months.